Andrew James Matfin “Jamie” Bell(born 14 March 1986) is an English actor. He is best known for playing the title character in the film Billy Elliot (2000), for which he won the 2001 BAFTA Award for Best Actor. Since then he has played a mix of leading roles in small independent films and supporting roles in big budget films such as Peter Jackson’s version of King Kong.

Started dancing when he was six. Dancers have been in his family for ages. His sister, his mother, grandmother, and aunt all danced before him.
First decided to act when he was nine.
First acting performance is reported to be part of the London stage production of Bugsy Malone in Christmas 1998.
Was teased by classmates when they found out that Jamie took ballet, and called him “Ballerina Boy”.
When he won Best Actor at the 2001 British Academy Awards (BAFTAs), not only did he beat the Best Actor Oscar winner of that year, Russell Crowe, but the other three nominees he beat out – Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas and Geoffrey Rush – had also won the Best Actor Oscar in past years.
Lives in Billingham with his mother Eileen and older sister Cathryn. He has no contact with his father John whom his mother divorced before Jamie was born.
Was chosen out of 2000 boys to play “Billy Elliot” over a series of seven auditions. Criteria that the casting director was looking for were acting ability, dancing ability and the right Northern English accent.
Only the second actor ever to be awarded Outstanding Performance by a Young Actor from the National Board of Review, USA. The first was fellow Brit Christian Bale in 1987 (then titled Outstanding Juvenile Performance) for Empire of the Sun (1987).
Prefers tap dancing over ballet. Has been in many tap-dancing competitions and won many awards.
Was Honorary Jury President of the 2001 Giffoni Film Festival.
A former student at the Stagecoach Theater School.
He became interested in baseball when he visited the United States for the first time, and he began collecting all of the teams jerseys.
Named among Fade In Magazine’s “100 People in Hollywood You Need to Know” in 2005.
He was accompanied by his then girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood to the King Kong (2005) premiere in New York.
Met his former girlfriend, Evan Rachel Wood, while they filming Green Day’s music video for “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, where they played an actual couple.
Divides his time between London and New York.
Very good friends with Anne Hathaway, Romola Garai and Charlie Hunnam whom he met while filming Nicholas Nickleby (2002).
Was ranked #19 on Entertainment Weekly’s ’30 Under 30′ the actors list.(2008).
Sister’s name is Cathryn.
Mother’s name is Eileen.
Father’s name is John, but he has never met him.
Arsenal is his favorite British soccer team.
Was in a relationship with Evan Rachel Wood (June 2005-September 2006).
Good friends with Camilla Belle.